"My Days with Charlemagne"

About the Book

In “My Days with Charlemagne” Denis, his vassal, tells of his adoption by the great 8th century King Charles and later emperor, at a time when a new education system was being set up in Francia. King Charles sat with the students and was taught by Alvin or York, considered the greatest teacher in the western world, although he could not write, the king issued many capitularies through his scribes to be delivered throughout his kingdom.

The whole school traveled over the dangerous Alps to visit Rome in 787. The city had changed a good deal from its glory, particularly the Coliseum. And Denis’ 12 year-old mind is shocked by what the Romans think of the Franks. He returns to finish his schooling at Aachen and meets Vincent of Hancock and goes with him to his home for vacation where he sees another way of life. When he returns King Charles makes him his royal vassal. His first task is with the Missi Domenici, King Charles’s elite law enforcement team.

Then King Charles sends Denis to Constantinople to meet with Empress Irene to see if he can prevent a war between Irene and her son, but Denis arrives too late to prevent a tragedy. Denis then receives a message to go to Baghdad and meet with Harun-al-Rashid. There he meets, and almost loses, the love of his life, Sima.

About the Author

Joanna de Baroncelli started her writing career as an associate editor on the Ohio University Post newspaper. Coming to Los Angeles, she was a copy boy on the LA Examiner and later a reporter on the Hollywood Citizen News. She retired to raise two sons, continuing to write short stories. When her son, Denis died of cancer in 2003, she started research for this current book. Her son, Barry, helped complete “My Days with Charlemagne”. In December 2010 the author entered hospice.